2012 Fiat 500 Abarth - 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

The Fiat 500 of our dreams appears at the L.A. Auto Show—with a built-in Scorpion!!

At the Los Angeles Auto Show today, Fiat unveiled our North American version of the particular 500 model for which enthusiasts dream: its high-performance 500 Abarth. Carrying the legendary tuner's Scorpion logo, this variant of Fiat's minicompact sports a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing an estimated 160 bhp (versus the ordinary 500's normally aspirated 101 bhp) with torque estimated at 170 lb.-ft. (significantly up from 98 lb.-ft.).

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Unlike its mundane sibling's, the accelerator pedal of this Fiat 500 Abarth likely won't be just an on/off switch.

Abarth does other magic with the Fiat's electric-assist steering gear, MacPherson-strut front suspension and twist-beam rear. Unique styling features set the Abarth apart from lesser 500 models, including trim packages for personalizing the car.

The technical high point of the 500 Abarth's powerplant is its innovative MultiAir electrohydraulic intake-valve hardware, the first of its kind in production. Rather than cam-lobe-actuated, the intake valves are opened by hydraulic fluid routed through a narrow passage controlled by a dual-action solenoid. At highway speeds or under full acceleration, the solenoid closes, allowing full flow and thus opening the intake valves completely. By contrast, at light load, the solenoid opens, letting fluid bypass the passage, essentially decoupling the valves.

On a more traditional note, the exhaust valves are actuated through conventional camshaft lobes via inverted bucket tappets. Also, fuel injection is sequential multi-port, not direct. Compression ratio is a modest 9.8:1. Regular unleaded is an acceptable diet, though premium is recommended for optimal power and economy.

Heat of the single turbocharger's enhanced pressure is treated by a pair of intercoolers nestling in either side of the Abarth's styled front fascia.

A tradeoff of the Abarth's enhanced power output is evident in its transmission specification: Fiat's C510 manual gearbox is a 5-speed. Apparently the lesser 500's 6-speed isn't up to the 73-percent greater torque of the turbo variant. By the way, Fiat's MultiAir Turbo was selected the "Best International Engine in 2010" by a panel of 72 journalists (your author being one of them).

Full Abarth Styling

Full Abarth styling sets the car apart from lesser 500s. The front fascia with its evident air inlets is pushed forward by 2.7 in. compared with the ordinary treatment. A blacked-out panel routes the air and integrates projector-beam foglamps. Side skirts of the 500 Abarth are more pronounced. The car's wheel arches are flared. Abarth badges reside on both rear quarter panels. And a liftgate-mounted spoiler extends its roofline at the rear.

Additional personalization is offered by a signature Abarth triple-stripe logo running horizontally along the lower bodywork. Color choices are Abarth-inspired Rosso, Nero or Blanco (red, black or white for us 'Mericans).

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The cockpit displays uniqueness as well. Its steering wheel, with a prominent Abarth Scorpion on its hub, is thick-rimmed, of perforated leather and flat-bottomed. Along with its sportiness, the wheel integrates hardware for the car's standard-equipment cruise control, audio, and Blue&Me Handsfree Communication. A large concentric instrument cluster houses the speedometer, tach and trip computer. To the left, a turbo gauge is calibrated from 0 to 24 psi, thus suggesting it's reading in absolute pressure (that is, showing the nominal 14.7 psi of our atmosphere). Factoid: Such a gauge has weather-prediction capabilities as well! An upshift light is incorporated into the turbo gauge's center.

As I hope I've made clear here, the Fiat 500 Abarth has us really enthused. Though a somewhat lesser version is already available in Europe, we can expect our more powerful 500 Abarth to arrive spring 2012. Prices have been noodled about; in particular, $23,500, but with world currencies bouncing around, I'd wait until the spring. Impatiently, though.